Race relations has always been a touchy subject, and for a major studio to adapt the same source material (Fannie Hurst’s 1933 novel, Imitation of Life) in 1934 and then again in 1959, and do it with class, is rare indeed. Universal has “digitally remastered and fully restored” both films “from high resolution 35mm original film elements,” and while the results may not be breathtaking, they are commendable.
Studio: Universal
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, 2.00:1
Audio: English 2.0 DTS-HDMA
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Rating: Not Rated
Run Time: 1 Hr. 51 Min., 2 Hrs. 5 Mins.
Package Includes: Blu-ray
Blu-ray keepcaseDisc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 04/07/2015
MSRP: $26.98
The Production Rating: 4/5
Twenty-five years later, Universal dusted off Fannie Hurst’s novel, and hired Eleanore Griffin (Boys Town) and Allan Scott (Top Hat) to update the story with director Douglas Sirk (Magnificent Obsession). The result is more of a soap opera that is very loosely based on the original novel. The film opens with a chance meeting between struggling actress Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) and her daughter Susie with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore) and her light-colored daughter Sarah Jane on the beach at Coney Island. Annie reveals to Lora that the two of them are practically homeless, and she takes them in. While at the beach, Lora meets photographer Steve Archer (John Gavin), who tries to romance Lora, but becomes more of a fifth wheel as Lora uses her looks to attract playwright David Edwards (Dan O’Herlihy), who begins casting her in several Broadway hits. As the years progress, Lora and Susie (now played by Sandra Dee) become distant due to Lora’s determination as an actress taking up most of her time, while the distance between Annie and Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner) is caused by Sarah Jane’s reluctance to being reminded that she is of African-American descent. What is lacking in the 1959 version is any kind of relationship between Lora and Annie, as we never really see them become friends, and the relationship plays out more like a business arrangement with Annie playing servant to Lora. The film also seems to spend a lot more time focusing on Lora’s career as an actress than on the unravelling relationship between Annie and Sarah Jane. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Susan Kohner and Juanita Moore).
Video Rating: 4/5 3D Rating: NA
The 1959 version is presented in a 2:1 aspect ratio rather than its intended 1.85:1. Colors are consistent and vibrant without being over-saturated, contrast is also excellent. Detail is quite good, although there are some shots that appear soft, but that may be intentional rather than a flaw in the transfer. As with the 1934 version, digital manipulation is minimal, allowing the transfer to retain its film grain structure throughout yet provide a fairly clean-looking image free of dirt, debris, and scratches.
Audio Rating: 4/5
Special Features Rating: 3/5
1934 version
Audio Commentary with African-American Cultural Scholar Avery Clayton: Clayton discusses the film’s importance both in the history of American film and society, and the many themes it attempts to tackle.
Theatrical Trailer (480i; 1:14)
1959 version
Audio Commentary with Film Historian Foster Hirsch: Hirsch is head over heels in love with this film, which sometimes gets in the way of his conversation on the film. He does provide some interesting tidbits on how the film was made, some of the subliminal messages Sirk used, and conversations Hirsch has had over the years with Moore and Kohner.
Lasting Legacy: An Imitation of Life (480i; 31:40): This featurette looks at both films, using interviews with film historians, including Foster Hirsch, Avery Clayton, and others. It would have been nice if this featurette could have been accessed from either film, though.
Theatrical Trailer (480i; 2:19)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Reviewed By: Todd Erwin
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